The public is invited to meet Tim Payne, superintendent of the Southwest Vermont Supervisory Union (SVSU, serving Bennington, Pownal, Woodford, North Bennington, Shaftsbury, Arlington, and Sandgate), and join a discussion about the challenges and opportunities facing area schools. The free program, co- presented by the Bennington Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Bennington (UUFB), takes place on Saturday, February 21, 2–3:30 p.m. at the UU Meetinghouse, 108 School Street, Bennington, followed by refreshments. CAT-TV will record the program and air it at a later date.

Schools are at the forefront of today’s social and political discourse. Communities across the country are concerned about the safety of their schools, especially due to fears of gun violence and, more recently, the arrival on school grounds of immigration enforcement agents. The president has signed an executive order to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, many colleges and universities have taken steps to protect jeopardized academic freedom and federal funding, and student loan borrowers are facing debt-relief whiplash. While the setbacks and hurdles are many, Superintendent Payne has offered to share his thoughts on how SVSU is working within and outside of the school community to make our elementary through high schools a steadily more excellent, safe, equitable, and inclusive learning environment.

Guest speaker Tim Payne began on July 1 his post as superintendent of SVSU. Formerly principal of Mount Anthony Union High School and, before that, principal of the Middle School, he was chosen for the role by the SVSU Board of Directors after a search that engaged teachers and staff, students, families, and community members.